3 Day Motorcycle Tour (Nan Loop) from Chiang Mai, Thailand

Northern Thailand’s best scenery comes from behind a handlebar, and this 3-day Nan motorcycle loop gives you plenty of it. You ride twisting mountain roads, look down on Phayao Lake, visit Nan’s hilltop temple, stop at Bo Kluea’s old salt wells, and return through hot springs and waterfalls. The roads are the main event, with culture and food providing welcome breaks.

I like the small maximum group of 10, the support van, and the fact that fuel-free unlimited mileage is paired with proper riding gear. I also like the practical mix of hotel comfort, local restaurants, and a professional road captain. The main caution is that the supplied route description is not fully consistent: it mentions Sukhothai, Sirikit Dam, and an elephant center, but the day-by-day plan describes the Nan and Phayao loop instead. Confirm the final route before paying.

Key points for deciding quickly

• 120 kilometers of mountain curves: The famous Route 1148 is the tour’s headline ride, with long runs of bends through northern Thailand.
• Bo Kluea salt wells: A distinctive cultural stop, not just another roadside viewpoint.
• Phayao Lake views: Kwan Phayao appears more than once, giving the route a strong water-and-mountain setting.
• Road captain and support van: A professional English-speaking guide leads on a motorcycle while luggage travels separately.
• Comfort after the curves: Two nights are included at selected hotels or resorts with leisure facilities.
• High riding threshold: You must be at least 21, show a current passport and valid motorcycle license, and have at least four years of riding experience.

What this Nan loop is really about

This is not a sightseeing bus trip with a short motorbike add-on. The motorcycle is the reason to book. You spend roughly seven hours on the road each day, and the route is built around bends, climbs, viewpoints, and long stretches through northern farming country.

The tour suits riders who enjoy being active for most of the day. You should be comfortable with mountain roads, changing speed, and riding for several hours in warm weather. If you want gentle sightseeing with only a little time on two wheels, this is the wrong shape of holiday.

The group limit of 10 matters. A small group is easier to manage on winding roads and makes stops less chaotic. The road captain leads from the front, while the support van carries luggage and can accommodate a few people if arranged ahead of time. That backup is useful, especially if you need a break from the saddle.

The package also removes several common hassles. Motorcycle rental, unlimited mileage, third-party liability cover, motorcycle damage insurance with a deductible of up to 25,000 Thai baht, protective clothing, meals, and two hotel nights are included. You still need separate travel insurance, and the deductible is a serious figure to understand before you ride.

Day 1: Chiang Mai to Nan via Chae Son and Phayao Lake

You start at Big Bike Tours on Ragang Road in Chiang Mai at 8:30 a.m. Pickup from Chiang Mai Airport is offered, which is helpful if this ride begins soon after you arrive. The first hours let you become familiar with the motorcycle while heading north from the city.

The route goes through Chae Son National Park on Route 1252, described as a favorite mountain road for riders. Expect a day of bends rather than a quick transfer. The scenery changes from the urban edge of Chiang Mai to wooded mountain roads and open views.

A stop near Phayao gives you a first look at Kwan Phayao, one of northern Thailand’s largest lakes. The view from higher ground is a useful pause after the initial riding section, and it gives you a sense of how much open country lies between the major cities.

From there, the road toward Nan becomes the main attraction. You continue along mountainous highways before visiting Wat Phra That Khao Noi, a hilltop temple above Nan. The temple stop combines religious architecture with a broad view over the town and surrounding countryside. It is a better first introduction to Nan than simply arriving at a hotel and waiting for dinner.

Your accommodation includes a swimming pool or similar leisure facility, according to the tour details. That matters after seven hours in the helmet. Later, you have time to experience Nan’s evening scene, with dinner included as part of the package.

The day is long, but the pacing makes sense for a motorcycle tour. You get an early start, a mix of riding and viewpoints, and a proper stop at the end. I would still ask how often the group stops for fuel, drinks, and rest, since the published schedule gives the total riding time but not a detailed stop timetable.

Day 2: Bo Kluea, Doi Phu Kha, Route 1148, and Phayao

Day 2 is the most ambitious riding day. After breakfast, the route heads through the mountains toward Bo Kluea on Route 1081. This road is known for its curves and is a major reason experienced riders choose the Nan area.

Bo Kluea’s salt wells give the day some local character. Salt production in a mountain community is a more memorable stop than a quick photo at a viewpoint. You see a working tradition tied to the area’s geography, then continue through Doi Phu Kha National Park.

Lunch is planned at a local restaurant in Chiang Klang. Meals are included, but drinks beyond the listed water, soft drinks, tea, and coffee may cost extra. Dietary needs should be provided when booking so arrangements can be made.

The headline section follows on Route 1148. The tour describes roughly 120 kilometers of up-and-down curves through the mountains, and this is where the ride earns its reputation as a biker’s route. You need to stay focused. The reward is the pleasure of riding a well-known road through impressive mountain country, not a long list of formal attractions.

After the main curves, the route uses Route 1021 through farming areas toward Phayao. That change of pace is welcome. Open agricultural views give your eyes and shoulders a rest after the tighter bends. You finish near Kwan Phayao and spend the night in or near the town.

There is one point I would clarify before booking. The day-by-day description labels the first stop as Phayao City, begins with departure from Nan, later describes riding to Nan, and then continues to Phayao. That wording may be a simple editing error, but it is worth asking Big Bike Tours for the current map and overnight locations. The route itself can still be excellent, but you should know where you are sleeping each night.

Day 3: Phayao Lake to Chiang Mai

The final morning begins with another ride around Kwan Phayao. Seeing the lake from different points helps break up the return journey, and the water provides a calmer contrast to the previous day’s mountain curves.

You then take Route 120 toward Than Tong waterfall and Mae Kachan hot spring. This is described as another windy mountain road, so the return to Chiang Mai is not a dull highway run. The road keeps the final day active without repeating the exact same experience as Day 2.

Lunch is served at a local restaurant in front of the hot spring. Mae Kachan is also a practical refreshment stop, with time to pause before the final leg. A local market stop follows, giving you a chance to buy a drink or snack and see a more ordinary side of the route.

The tour ends back at the Chiang Mai meeting point. Each day is listed at about seven hours, so you should not plan a tight evening flight on the final day. The published information gives no guaranteed finish time, and mountain roads, weather, traffic, or road work can change the schedule.

The route confusion you should resolve first

The overview uses the name Sukhothai Loop and mentions Sukhothai’s UNESCO World Heritage ruins, Sirikit Dam, and an elephant conservation center in Lampang. Those are attractive additions, but they do not appear in the detailed three-day schedule provided for this experience.

The day-by-day plan instead centers on Nan, Bo Kluea, Doi Phu Kha, Route 1148, Phayao, Than Tong waterfall, and Mae Kachan hot spring. Those are not minor differences. Sukhothai and Sirikit Dam would create a different route and riding pattern.

Ask the operator which version applies to your departure date. Route changes can also happen because of weather, road works, or updated route planning, and the tour terms state that no refund is given for a route change. This is not a reason to reject the ride, but it is an important reason to confirm the plan in writing.

Bikes, equipment, and support on the road

The motorcycle rental includes unlimited mileage, which is a good fit for a route built around long mountain sections. The tour supplies helmets, jackets, gloves, and knee guards. You are strongly advised to wear all protective clothing, and helmets are compulsory in Thailand.

Bring your own riding boots and any specialty-size gear if standard equipment may not fit. The tour notes that special sizes may be limited. Comfort matters here because seven hours in unsuitable gloves or a poor-fitting jacket can take the shine off a fine road.

A professional English-speaking road captain with a Tourism Authority of Thailand license leads the group. Big Bike Tours has also used a Thai guide named Kaeb and support crew members Tony and Lrut on previous rides, while Kay and Noah are associated with the operation. The exact team can vary, so confirm who will lead your departure.

The support van carries luggage, cool bottled water, and refresher towels. It can take a few passengers if you request this in advance. That does not turn the ride into a van tour, but it gives the group a sensible fallback if someone needs a short rest.

Insurance deserves careful reading. Third-party liability is included, as is motorcycle insurance with a deductible of up to 25,000 Thai baht for damage. Personal accident cover is listed up to 100,000 Thai baht, and life insurance up to 1,000,000 Thai baht. These figures do not replace proper travel insurance, which you must arrange separately.

Hotels, meals, and the value of $1,125

At $1,125 per person, this is a premium motorcycle holiday rather than a cheap way to rent a bike. The price includes two hotel nights, two breakfasts, two dinners, three lunches, soft drinks, water, tea and coffee with meals, motorcycle rental, gear, guide services, support, and several types of insurance.

The value improves if you would otherwise need to arrange a motorcycle, luggage transport, hotels, meals, route planning, and roadside support on your own. You are paying for access to a planned route and a crew that handles many moving parts. The hotels are described as carefully selected quality properties with leisure facilities, but exact names are not supplied, so ask for them before booking if accommodation matters to you.

The price is less attractive if you already own a suitable big bike in Thailand or prefer to find budget rooms and restaurants independently. You also need to budget for alcohol, personal purchases, airfare, visa fees, and travel insurance. Alcohol is not provided, and it is not allowed during the riding day. Evening drinks are permitted when the motorcycles are no longer in use.

The cancellation terms are simple but strict. You receive a full refund only if you cancel at least three full days before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted or refunded.

Who should book this ride?

I would choose this tour if you have solid motorcycle experience and want a guided route through northern Thailand without spending weeks planning every turn. It works especially well for riders who care more about mountain roads, views, and local stops than ticking off a long list of major attractions.

It also suits couples and small groups who want shared riding but still value hotel comfort. The support van, included meals, and road captain make the trip easier than a completely independent ride, while the group size keeps it from feeling like a large convoy.

I would not choose it for a first-ever motorcycle trip, a rider with less than four years of riding experience, or anyone uncomfortable with long days of curves. It is also not ideal if your main goal is Sukhothai. Until the operator confirms the current route, you cannot assume the temples, Sirikit Dam, or Lampang elephant center are part of this particular departure.

Final call: a strong ride for experienced motorcyclists

Book this Nan loop if the roads are your main reason for visiting northern Thailand. The combination of Routes 1081, 1148, 120, Chae Son, Bo Kluea, Doi Phu Kha, Phayao Lake, Nan, and Mae Kachan gives you a varied three days with plenty of time in the saddle.

The best reasons to go are the route design, support setup, included equipment, and comfortable stopping points. The main reasons to pause are the high price, the 25,000-baht damage deductible, the long riding days, and the unclear Sukhothai wording.

Before you commit, ask for the exact current route, motorcycle model, hotel names, final crew, and insurance terms. If those details match what you want, this is a well-supported way to ride northern Thailand’s finest mountain roads without having to build the whole trip yourself.

FAQ

How long is the motorcycle tour?

The experience lasts approximately three days, with each day listed at about seven hours.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Big Bike Tours, 134 Ragang Road, Chang Khlan, Chiang Mai, at 8:30 a.m. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Is pickup from Chiang Mai Airport available?

Yes. Pickup service from Chiang Mai Airport is included.

What motorcycle experience do I need?

You must be at least 21 years old, provide evidence of a valid motorbike driving license, and have at least four years of riding experience.

Is motorcycle gear included?

Yes. Helmets, jackets, gloves, and knee guards are provided. Protective clothing should be worn, and you may prefer to bring your own gear if you need a special size.

Are hotels and meals included?

Yes. The package includes two hotel nights, two breakfasts, two dinners, and three lunches. Water, soft drinks, tea, and coffee are provided with meals.

Is travel insurance included?

No. Motorcycle insurance, third-party liability cover, and listed accident and life cover are included, but you must arrange suitable travel insurance separately.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The route may change because of road works, weather, or updated route planning. The tour details also advise confirming the current plan because the general description mentions Sukhothai and other stops that do not appear in the detailed Nan loop schedule.